Are Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets Dangerous?

A welder spends a lot of time when choosing his welding equipment. Proper clothes, welding guns and torches must be high-quality. But, when it comes to the process of welding, every welder wants to stay safe and preserve his healthy, especially eyes. That is why many welders are confused when it comes to choosing the perfect welding helmet.

Nowadays, many welders go for auto-darkening welding helmets, instead of the classic welding helmets, even though they are usually more expensive. But, many of you may wonder can auto-darkening welding helmets be dangerous, because of the special lenses they contain? The answer is no. Auto-darkening welding helmets are safe to use. In addition, they provide better protection than classic welding helmets. They also free you from constant welding helmet removal.

Instead of spending $20 to $30 on a classic welding helmet, you should think about the more expensive ones. Yes, auto-darkening welding helmets are more expensive. But, they also last longer, provide better protection for your eyes, and also free you from the neck pain you get from the classic welding helmet. Auto-darkening welding helmets are more expensive because of their special tinted glass and sensors.

Auto-darkening welding helmets have auto-darkening filter lens instead of a standard piece of tinted glass. This auto-darkening filter lens (also known as ADF) is a liquid crystal display (LCD). Its design and technology resembles to the technology of a digital alarm clock. The filter cartridges can be charged by battery and solar power.

It is very easy to explain how auto-darkening welding work. When you are not welding, the lens is inactive and the LCD filter has a #3 or #4 shade. This shade is no darker than the shade of sunglasses. So, it is very easy to see through the helmet when its sensors are inactive. This way the welder can see his gun/torch without the annoying process of taking the helmet off.

Then, the special light sensors mounted near the lens have a special task. Their role is to detect the welding arc. Once the arc appears, the shade of the sensors automatically darkens from #3 or #4 to #9 and can go up to#13, based on the arc and surroundings. This entire process happens in less than a second.

Auto-darkening welding helmets are very easy to use. In addition, there are no dangerous side effects. These helmets will provide optimal protection for your eyes, and improve your performance at the same time. How? Well, you will not have to deal with taking off the helmet and then putting it back on and moving your gun/torch from the desired spot while doing so. If you are in a small place, for example under a car, you won’t have to struggle with positioning both your helmet and welding gun/torch. This process can sometimes be extremely irritating, and also complicated. Also, possibly the best thing about auto-darkening welding helmets is that your neck will stay in one place, and that means no more neck pain for you.